Heritage of Giving

Heritage of Giving

Recognized, with profound gratitude.

Gifts to The American College of Financial Services are essential to The College's successful leadership in financial services education. We are pleased to recognize the individuals named below for their generous contributions to The College over many decades. Every contribution has provided tangible support for Solomon S. Huebner's vision of ethical professionals meeting the financial needs of individuals and families. The College is committed to continuing Dr. Huebner's vision, and we are grateful to all whose generosity helps us sustain his vision.

Endowed chairs and professorships

Joseph E. Boettner Chair in Financial Gerontology

The Boettner Chair honors the late Joseph E. Boettner, CLU®, a leader in the life insurance industry who devoted most of his life to looking after the financial needs of others. Joseph E. and his wife Ruth Boettner provided the chair's funding. The chairholder's mission is to advance understanding of the relationship between aging and financial well-being through teaching and writing about the impact of aging on financial security and life satisfaction.

The Davis Distinguished Professorship is a gift of Jarrett L. Davis, CLU®, a former trustee of the College, a past-president of the American Society of CLU® & ChFC®, and an emeritus member of The American College Foundation Board of Directors. The purpose of the Davis Professorship is to develop, promote, and implement the College's programs in the fields of finance, accounting and reporting, financial statement analysis, business valuation, agency and company financial management, risk management, and specialized company issues.

Charles E. Drimal Estate Planning Professorship

The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company established the Charles E. Drimal Estate Planning Professorship in 2000 to honor the late Charles E. Drimal, CLU®, ChFC®, MSFS, a revered Penn Mutual general agent. Charles provided inspiration, motivation, and guidance to many, who considered him a role model for the financial services profession. The Drimal Professorship pays tribute to Charles Drimal, while also showing a strong commitment to The American College and its mission of educational rigor and ethical standards.

Frank M. Engle Distinguished Chair in Economic Security Research

Frank M. Engle, a leading insurance agent and business executive in Tulsa, Oklahoma, funded the Engle Lecture series in 1976. In 1984, Mr. Engle increased his gift to the College to endow the Frank M. Engle Distinguished Chair in Economic Security Research. From 1984 until his death in 1996, Mr. Engle continued to make generous contributions to the endowment fund. The chair holder's mission is to support educational and research programs related to issues of economic security, financial institutions, financial markets, and the worldwide integration of financial services. The chair holder contributes to graduate courses and oversees the presentation of each year's Engle Lecture.

O. Alfred Granum Chair in Management

The O. Alfred Granum Chair in Management was established in 2000 through funding by Northwestern Mutual Foundation and more than 70 managing partners, agents, and associates, including Mr. Granum. O. Alfred Granum, CLU®, is a 2003 recipient of the Solomon S. Huebner Gold Medal, and he has participated in many programs for NALU, GAMA, and MDRT. Mr. Granum had a long and distinguished career with Northwestern Mutual, where he helped several generations of career financial representatives. His teaching extends throughout the industry and the underlying principles he promotes, "Be Referred, Get Facts, Practice CLU®," are timeless. The purpose of the chair is to support research and development of programs to improve management and leadership in the financial services industry.

Guardian/Deppe Chair in Pensions and Retirement Planning

The Deppe Chair originated with the Henry A. Deppe Endowment Fund in 1987 for the purpose of creating an annual lecture. His friends, industry leaders, and The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America honored Mr. Henry Deppe, CLU®, a nationally recognized authority in pensions and retirement planning, by creating this lecture. With the additional generosity of The Guardian Life Insurance Company, the Guardian/Deppe Chair in Pensions and Retirement Planning was established at The American College.

Roger Hull/James S. Bingay Chair of Leadership

This Chair honors the late Roger Hull, a past chairman of the College's Board of Trustees and a former chairman of Mutual of New York, and the late James S. Bingay, a former trustee of the College and past president and CEO of Mutual of New York. The chair's financial support comes primarily from associates of Mutual of New York and from matching and corporate contributions. The chair holder's mission is to identify qualities of leadership in business, education, and government, and to encourage their development in potential financial leaders.

George G. Joseph/Richard A. Liddy Chair in Practice Management

The Joseph/Liddy chair was funded by members of the General Agents and Managers Conference to honor George Joseph on his retirement as president of the Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association (LIMRA). In addition, it is funded by gifts from Richard Liddy, past chairman of GenAmerica, and friends of his. The chair honors George Joseph and Richard Liddy as successful and influential leaders in the financial services industry. It affirms The American College's commitment to professional education oriented toward life insurance agency management. The chairholder's mission includes the design and implementation of professional management and education courses related to Human Capital. The mission also includes continuing education programs in management, such as seminars and workshops, research and publications related to contemporary agency management, and other academic and industry activities related to management education. The chair holder serves as a consulting resource for The College, as well as a provider for the Charter Leadership Fellow (CLF®) designation.

Larry R. Pike Chair in Insurance and Investments

The Larry R. Pike Chair in Insurance and Investments was established by The American College and the Union Central Life Insurance Company (now Ameritas) to support the advancement of learning and professionalism in these two areas. The chair is named for Larry R. Pike, CLU®, a retired chairman of the board of the Union Central Life Insurance Company and a past trustee of The American College. Mr. Pike is a well-known insurance agent who has made significant contributions to the industry and to Union Central. Union Central created an endowment to sponsor this chair through an annual corporate gift and purchase of life insurance contracts on more than 200 of its field and home office associates who are CLUs®, ChFCs®, or LUTCFs. Funding for the endowment also comes from individual gifts from field and home office associates of the company.

Charles Lamont Post Chair of Ethics and the Professions

The Post Chair was funded by the generous contributions of the late Charles Lamont Post, one of the insurance industry's most distinguished members and a loyal supporter of the College ever since he obtained his CLU® in 1929. The chair holder is responsible for improving understanding and broadening knowledge of the moral and ethical choices that face professional men and women. To accomplish this goal, the chair holder both writes and teaches about the social responsibilities and ethical challenges that face individuals and organizations. The writings then are used to strengthen the College's curriculum in both its designation and degree programs.

State Farm Chair in Women and Financial Services

The purpose of the State Farm Chair in Women and Financial Services is to raise the awareness and visibility of issues faced by both women consumers and their advisors. The chair holder serves as a subject matter expert on the faculty at The American College as well as a thought leader in the industry, developing research on the women's market for insurance and financial services and sharing this knowledge through educational opportunities, publications, new course development and integrating relevant content with other courses at The American College. The chair is funded by a generous grant from the State Farm Company Foundation.

Sallie B. and William B. Wallace Chair in Philanthropy

Sallie B. and William B. Wallace, CLU®, established the Chair in Philanthropy to elevate the role of philanthropy in financial planning. After an outstanding career as a Home Life agent, Mr. Wallace became the company's president and chief operating officer. He subsequently was vice chairman of Phoenix Home Life. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace's gifts to establish the chair grew from their personal commitment to philanthropy as a strong understanding of the need to educate advisors in how philanthropy can enhance financial planning. The Wallace's commitment led to the establishment of The College's Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy designation.

Charles J. Zimmerman Chair in Life Insurance Education

The Zimmerman Chair honors the late Charles J. Zimmerman, CLU®, one of the twentieth century's most highly respected leaders in the life insurance industry. His influence on the advancement of education and ethics as a trustee of the College added immeasurably to the life insurance profession. Mr. Zimmerman believed passionately in the value of The American College, and he stayed extremely committed to giving his time, talent, and financial resources to support the growth and development of the institution, even after his death. True to this commitment, Mr. Zimmerman bequeathed the College a sum with which to endow a chair in life insurance education. As former chairman and chief executive of Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company, Zimmerman became synonymous with his famous phrase "make no small plans." With the additional financial support of his associates and the Connecticut Mutual Foundation, the College was able to establish the Charles J. Zimmerman Chair in Life Insurance Education. The chair holder's mission is to support the advancement of learning and professionalism for individuals preparing for a career in life insurance/financial services.

Other special funds

21st Century Endowment Campaign

Announced at the College's 70th Anniversary celebration, the 21st Century Campaign obtained gifts and pledges totaling more than $32 million-the largest campaign in The College's history to date. The campaign exceeded its original goal by over seven million dollars. The increase in The College's endowment strengthened faculty development, the use of learning technology, research, and curriculum innovation. The campaign also increased substantially the number of insurance policies owned by The College as deferred gifts.

Arboretum and Campus Beautification Campaign

In 1994 The American College established its campus as a full-fledged Arboretum with the identification and classification of a large number of trees on The College's 35-acre campus. Gifts for the Arboretum honored or memorialized many people, and were used to enhance the campus by preserving the trees and grounds. Arboretum gifts contributed substantially to The College's assets when the campus was monetized in 2007.

Margaret Bradshaw Lecture Series

The Fund supports the Margaret Bradshaw Lecture Series in recognition of generous gifts to the Fund by Margaret Bradshaw. Ms. Bradshaw was a pioneering woman in the life insurance industry, earning the CLU® in 1931 and pursuing a successful career with John Hancock. Margaret became the first woman John Hancock agent in Rhode Island, and at the time one of a very small group of women CLUs® in the entire United States. The lecture series provides the platform for distinguished speakers to address critical issues in financial services. The Fund also supports other important projects and educational opportunities at The College.

Center for Ethics in Financial Services

The Center for Ethics strives to increase awareness of ethical issues and raise the level of ethical behavior in the financial services industry. The Center promotes ethical behavior through program offerings that go beyond the "rules" of market conduct to help executives and producers be more sensitive to ethical issues and think more critically about ethical solutions. The Center for Ethics also serves as a resource for cutting-edge research and discussion of emerging ethical issues within the financial services industry. The Mitchell Forum on Ethical Leadership is a specific program that engages chief executives and distinguished business ethicists in discussing ethical behavior in the financial services industry. The Forum recognizes the substantial support provided by James A. and Linda R. Mitchell to establish and sustain the Center for Ethics at The American College. After a distinguished career in financial services, Mr. Mitchell retired as the chairman and CEO of the IDS Life Insurance Company. He has also provided leadership to The College as Chair of both the College's Board of Trustees and the Foundation Board of Directors.

Brian H. Early Lecture Endowment

The Early Lecture Endowment memorializes a highly successful managing partner with Northwestern Mutual and a special friend of The American College. Well known for his high spirit, his knowledge, and his curiosity, Brian was a life-long learner. He emphasized the personal and professional aspects of being a leader in his teaching in the Chartered Leadership Fellow program at The College. The annual Brian H. Early Lecture in Practice Management and Leadership features presentations by industry opinion leaders in a different city each year.

Ben Feldman Endowment

Ben Feldman, CLU®, was a considered one of the greatest insurance agents in the world. The New York native joined New York Life in 1942, and subsequently led the company in sales for 22 straight years. Created in 1994, the Feldman Endowment honors and perpetuates the memory of the industry legend at New York Life through an annual educational insurance and financial forum. The forum is available to all New York Life agents and field managers who want to improve their expertise in the financial services industry.

Hall of States Fund

The Hall of States fund made a substantial contribution to the construction of the Gregg Conference Center. Each room in the Hall of States residence facility represented one of the 50 states given by donors to recognize distinguished insurance industry leaders throughout the United States. Each room recognized the corporate or individual donor who gave contributions of $60,000 toward the construction of the residence facility in the Conference Center.

John P. Grimes Fund

A loyal member of The American College staff, John P. Grimes, CLU®, ChFC® served as the general manager of the Gregg Conference Center, Associate Vice President and Interim Director of the Alumni Association, and The College's industry ambassador and student advocate. John's family and friends created this special fund on the occasion of his untimely death, with the John P. Grimes Reception Foyer at the Gregg Conference Center named in his honor.

MDRT Foundation Hall

Due to gifts from the MDRT Foundation, The MDRT Foundation Hall was created at The American College. The MDRT Foundation Hall, constructed in 1972, is the home of The American College. A campaign for refurbishment of the building led to the rededication held in conjunction with The College's 75th Anniversary in 2002. This recognized The College's contribution to the industry, as well as celebrated MDRT's 75th year, and the 30th anniversary of MDRT Foundation Hall.

MONY Challenge Fund

Mitchell Hall recognized a major bequest from MONY agent Roy O. Mitchell, CLU®. In 1996 Mutual of New York created the MONY Challenge Fund to underwrite new construction that linked Mitchell Hall with The College's service center. This project, also known as LINK, occurred in the late 1990s and exemplified the ongoing relationship between The College and Mutual of New York. In addition, gifts to the MONY Challenge supported the creation of the Theodore Shalack Memorial Garden at the entrance to Mitchell Hall.

Murphy Academic Endowment

Established by Foster E. and Mary Payne Murphy in 2001, this academic endowment promotes professional education, leadership, and overall academic excellence. The Fund has provided support to advance research and education in areas such as family business planning, investments, taxation, advanced estate planning, senior care, and life planning.

New York Life Center for Retirement Income

New York Life funded the creation of the Center for Retirement Income to address the critical need for retirement income education as the Baby Boomer generation begins to retire. The Center collaborates with leading organizations, both within and outside the life insurance industry, to improve the financial well-being of seniors. Each year the Center publishes an annual guide for retirement planners. It also sustains, develops and oversees research on the retirement income needs of Americans.

New York Life Institute for Advanced Life Insurance Education

Over $4 million in life insurance contracts have been committed to the Institute because of the New York Life Gifting Program, a company-funded effort to insure all NYLIC CLUs®, ChFCs® and masters graduates with $2,000 face amount contracts. Led by President Sievert, along with field associates John Rocco and Joel Shapiro, the field force was invited to participate personally by increasing the policy by $1,000 or $2,000 in face amount. With the deferred endowment secured, the funds on hand are earmarked for Institute projects.

Oral History Center

Established in 1976 as part of the College library, the Oral History Center received funds from the CLU® Class of 1951 as part of its 25th Anniversary. Gifts to this fund help to record and preserve interviews from important individuals connected to the life insurance industry. Past interview participants have included agents, executives, women life insurance professionals, and teachers. More than eighty interviews have been conducted over the years, providing an interesting and valuable resource for future life insurance education.

James P. Poole Dining Room

As a leading insurance executive and a member of MDRT, James P. Poole gave many words of encouragement, as well as many contributions to The College. Gifts to this special fund went directly toward the creation of the Executive Dining Room in the Gregg Conference Center.

John F. Savage Fund

During his lifetime, John F. Savage, CLU®, ChFC® was one of the most effective and respected life insurance motivational speakers. His willingness to teach others was the natural result of his extensive knowledge of the industry and his overwhelmingly positive attitude. He gave more than 300 speeches in his lifetime in countries throughout the world. A general agent for Columbus Mutual, John was a life member of the Million Dollar Round Table. His community activities included extensive involvement with the University of Toledo, where he served as chairman of the Board of Trustees. Gifts from family and friends established the John F. Savage Educational Forum in John's memory to promote professional financial services learning.

Fred and Susan Sievert Fund

As the New York Life President for fifteen years, Fred Sievert led the company to its first number one ranking in life insurance market share. His leadership revitalized the company in many ways, including a strong commitment to the agency system. While continuing to excel in his profession, Sievert makes sure to maintain contact with his loved ones. Fred and his wife Susan began the Fred and Susan Sievert Fund at The American College to create new opportunities for various academic purposes.

Maurice L. Stewart Lecture Endowment

Through the effort of The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, the Maurice L. Stewart Lectureship is a new lecture series that honors one of their most esteemed and accomplished colleagues, Maury Stewart, CLU®, ChFC®, CLF®.

Women's Market Endowment

The Women's Market Endowment Fund was created by gifts from State Farm agents to provide a permanent resource for research and education that addresses issues of women in the marketplace and as financial advisors. The Fund provides an opportunity for individuals to support the goals of the State Farm Chair in Women and Financial Services.